The interest in genealogical records continues to grow. Should private record holders, such as churches or state archives funded from the public purse, be obliged to accommodate the large interest group drawn from the Irish Diaspora that outnumbers the population of the island 14 times?
Family history researchers are interested not just in the preservation of records, but primarily in ready and efficient access. How can the investment required to serve this interest group be justified?
IFHF centres received financial assistance in acquiring the technology to process these records from the International Fund for Ireland and from Bord Failte. In both instances the finance was allowed for improvement of tourism infrastructure and the generation of economic activity. No provision has been made for the new centres that have emerged to complete the network. In the absence of any subsidy for providing research services, these centres charge fees to subsist.
The IFHF believes that if all the potential uses of genealogical records, as educational, community, tourism and financial resources, as well as their importance as part of our heritage, are considered, a substantial investment by the Governments is justified.